Best-Positioned Rival to Jeb Bush

NY Times ^ | JAN. 12, 2015 | Nate Cohn

[entropy12]

And for all of the talk about the depth of the Republican field, the opposition to Mr. Bush remains unclear and underwhelming.

That is in part because many of the high-profile potential Republican contenders — like Ted Cruz, Chris Christie and Rand Paul — are factional and flawed candidates with tough routes to the party’s nomination.

Nonetheless, there will be demand for an alternative to Mr. Bush, even from within the so-called Republican establishment. Since Friday, attention has focused on Mitt Romney, who said in a meeting of top advisers and donors that he was considering a third run.

But the more compelling challenger may be Scott Walker, the battle-hardened governor of Wisconsin. He has made moves toward running, and on paper, he’s the type of candidate who should deeply concern Mr. Bush.

[okie01]

Multiple conservatives running are the real useful idiots for the GOPe. I realize Newt is not a pure conservative but I will always admire his Contract with America circa 1994.

Fact of the matter is that we just didn't have a strong conservative running in 2012.

Like you, I'll always respect and admire Newt for, among other things, the Contract With America. The most impressive thing about it, to my mind, is that he got the House to actually fulfill their promise -- to vote on every item in the Contract within the first 100 days. The House passed every item in the Contract, save one -- term limits.

Then, of course, they went to Trent Lott and the GOP Senate...

Actually, I'd rather have Newt as an advisor to the President than acting in an official capacity. He's got ideas...but he's short on discipline.

[Pelham]

Newt has a history of betraying his close friends and of making unsavory alliances with the political left. He’s an opportunist with a glib tongue.